2007-11-26 10:21:51 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
I think the best way to get a definitive answer is to lay down some criteria.
If you say, "What is great is the creation of the most prosperous nation possible based on the particular philosophy." Then it's probably John Locke.
If you long for an idealistic society where people all live in harmony with equality in all materialistic resources, then you're probably one of the lone hold-outs still around espousing Marx.
If you say, "Which philosopher did the best job of getting his ideas out into the intellectual community when it was very difficult politically to do so...and then had a profound impact on completely reshaping the world..." then it's Machiavelli.
If you want to be motivated and excited into action...whipped up into a political frenzy to get what you deserve now! Then I'd go with Rousseau.
If you think the greatest political philosopher is the one who transformed the way we think when it seemed as though all great ideas had already been disseminated...and he did it with such brilliant creativity...thinking "out of the box"...then it's Nietzsche.
Or...maybe...you agree with Optimus Prime from the movie "Transformers." He said, "Freedon is the right of all sentient beings." Plus, he had the muscle to back up and enforce that political belief. If you haven't seen the movie...you should check it out.
Do any of those align with the criteria you had in mind? By the way, I agree with the assessment of the answers you've received...that it is not Hobbes.
2007-12-02 05:47:36 · answer #1 · answered by M O R P H E U S 7 · 5⤊ 0⤋
No, but one of the greatest. Sun Tzu was. Hea was actually the greatest millitary philosopher, and his ideas also apply to economics and politics. I think you can see an immediate connection between economics, war, and politics. War is a political means to gaining a superior economic status, and this has been the state of politics pretty much forever.
2007-11-26 10:32:31 · answer #2 · answered by amiaigner 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
tirum notwithstanding additionally forgot significant philosophers alongside with Nietzsche who used Leviathan to divert from custom and rigidity the significance of the guy. He additionally forgot Hobbes key opponent, Rousseau who revolted against Hobbes' innovations and kickstarted Romanticism.
2016-09-30 05:02:37 · answer #3 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you prefer social relationships reduced to a constant atmosphere of antagonism and the individual reduced to a mere servant of state control and sovereignty, then he would be considered great. Hobbes works is like most modern social theorists entirely derivative and reactive to Christian conceptions of the human person and society. Read: John Milbank "Theology and Social Theory."
2007-11-26 10:36:12 · answer #4 · answered by Timaeus 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Lysander Spooner is the greatest political philosopher.
2007-11-27 01:05:05 · answer #5 · answered by Christopher F 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This question is determined by an individual's own political views. You can't judge who was the greatest because they all address a different aspect of political philosophy, whether it is realism, idealism, etc...
Personally, I think Machiavelli was the greatest.
2007-11-26 11:22:18 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some people will tell you that Karl Marx was, but Hobbes was OK. I actually think John Locke was better.
2007-11-26 10:25:51 · answer #7 · answered by KatGuy 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Depends on which side of the political fence you sit on.
Many of us would say "yes" , he is up there in the ratings.
2007-11-26 10:30:11 · answer #8 · answered by QuiteNewHere 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, that would be John Locke.
2007-11-26 10:56:00 · answer #9 · answered by cynical 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋